With reference to bacteriophages, consider the following statements: 1. SHRI Hospital is collaborating with SRM University and Szeged University to advance phage therapy. 2. Phage therapy is a method used to treat viral infections by using bacteria. 3. Bacteriophages are viruses that kill all types of human cells indiscriminately. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

SHRI Hospital researcher presents phage therapy to combat antimicrobial resistance in India

GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims + Mains· 12 November 2026

Biotechnology and public health: Phage therapy as a precision medicine solution for AMR in GS3.

Why in news

Dr. Kalyan Chakravarthy Koganti of SHRI Hospital presented research on phage therapy as a solution to combat antimicrobial resistance in India.

Background

Bacteriophages are viruses that selectively target and kill disease-causing bacteria without harming human cells. SHRI Hospital (Guntur) is collaborating with SRM University and Szeged University to advance the availability of this therapy in India.

Facts for Prelims

S&TBacteriophages: Viruses that selectively target and kill disease-causing bacteria.
PostDr. Kalyan Chakravarthy Koganti: Researcher at SHRI Hospital, Guntur.
FactSHRI Hospital is collaborating with SRM University and Szeged University for phage therapy advancement.

Prelims practice question

With reference to bacteriophages, consider the following statements:

SHRI Hospital is collaborating with SRM University and Szeged University to advance phage therapy.
Phage therapy is a method used to treat viral infections by using bacteria.
Bacteriophages are viruses that kill all types of human cells indiscriminately.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: (a) 1 only — Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: Phage therapy uses bacteriophages to target and kill disease-causing bacteria. Statement 3 is incorrect: They selectively target and kill disease-causing bacteria without harming human cells.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the potential of phage therapy in addressing the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare systems.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Regulatory hurdle: Lack of standardized clinical protocols and manufacturing guidelines for live viral therapies
Safety-efficacy trade-off: Balancing the specificity of bacteriophages against potential host immune responses
Infrastructure gap: Requirement for specialized laboratory facilities to isolate and characterize specific phages

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance · bacteriophages · biotechnology · precision medicine · public health

Read the full news →Report a mistake in this note How notes are made Source: The Hindu ↗Also: GS2 · Health policy & public health

More Science & Technology notes

Rajnath Singh urges military to strengthen "element of surprise" and launch AI applications · 12 November 2026
Amit Shah signs exemptions for 422 foreign tech items including Cellebrite tools · 12 November 2026
First confirmed record of Sistan sand boa documented in India's Sikar district · 12 November 2026
BEML plans indigenous tunnel-boring machines to reduce India's reliance on foreign suppliers · 12 November 2026
CSL and SFO Technologies unveil India's first indigenously designed hybrid laser arc welding technology · 12 November 2026
APSCHE launches ‘Vidya Vahini’ digital portal with free AI and quantum technology courses · 12 November 2026

All Science & Technology current affairs →

Something wrong, or something missing?

Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.

Report a mistake →Ask for something →[email protected]

This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.